Pittswood Birds

Above : Rain out the front on Ashes lane, and below rain out the back against the window.

Well I might be feeling better, but the weather wasn't too good today. Heavy overnight rain didn't start to ease until 09:00, and then it only slowed for an hour or so before more heavy rain swept in for the rest of the day.

During the mornings brief lull in the monsoon, I manged a quick trek over to the lake, via the wet woods, it wasn't really worth my efforts, only the usual suspects were braving the elements, the only thing worthy of note was the pits in the wet woods were starting to fill with water again, maybe a Teal will be attacted in before the months end ?

Once home again, I attempted to watch the garden feeders, and although a few Tits and finch's did visit, along with DUNNOCK, ROBIN, GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER, WREN and a pristene male SISKIN, the day proved to be a washout, and most birds seemed to be taking shelter from the elements.

So another November day slips past without a full patch walk being undertaken. There are still a few birds that really should be on the list by now, Stock dove and Redwing being the most glaring omissions, but I could expect maybe a Peregrine sighting, they have been around all year, also a Reed Bunting or Lapwing or perhaps a Buzzard.

Having checked the November list against previous years, it isn't all doom and gloom, I have managed to keep it ticking over to a creditable 57, a total which has only been surpassed by the record tally of 66 accumulated last year. The Novembers of 2002 and 2007, could only muster 57 after the whole of the month, so this November will almost certainly take second position at least. :-)

The weather forecast shows no improvement, overnight, more heavy rain and strong winds of up to 60mph are going to batter us, i'll get out if I can.